The adviser, Benjamin Cole, also allegedly urged in a 2010 post that a mosque be built at the White House, saying "it would be nice for the President to have his own house of worship."

Schock's office released a statement in which the Peoria Republican said, "I am extremely disappointed by the inexcusable and offensive online comments made by a member of my staff.

"I would expect better from any member of my team. Upon learning about them I met with Mr. Cole and he offered his resignation which I have accepted."

Cole, 38, joined Schock's staff in March as senior adviser for policy and communications, and was paid about $95,000 a year, according to House records. He has a bachelor's degree in biblical studies and a master's in divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, the school confirmed.

According to Legistorm, which tracks information about lawmakers and their aides, he also has a doctorate in philosophy from Baylor University and worked for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee from 2009 to 2011.

The controversial Facebook posts first were reported by ThinkProgress and BuzzFeedNews.

Cole's Facebook page on Thursday included little other than his date of birth and news that he'd gone to a Super Bowl viewing party.

Earlier this week, Cole took heat when he tried to quash a story in The Washington Post about the new "Downton Abbey"-style decor in Schock's Rayburn Building office.

A watchdog group called for an ethics investigation, asking whether Schock had taken an illegal gift because his office reported the interior designer had offered her services for free.

Schock on Wednesday told ABC-TV he planned to pay the designer, Annie Brahler, owner of Euro Trash in Jacksonville, Ill. Schock told the network that he'd paid her about $6,000 with a personal check when she redecorated his old office in the Cannon Building four years ago.